Saturn Aerospace’s Space Launch System (SLS) is distinguished by its innovative use of a vacuum tube and advanced track system. It sets a new standard for efficiency, safety, and sustainability in space launches.
The Vacuum Tube
The vacuum tube is a central component of our Space Launch System, designed to minimize atmospheric drag and allow payloads to reach high speeds efficiently.
- Length and Structure: The vacuum tube stretches approximately 20 miles and is constructed with robust materials to withstand high speeds and pressures. The tube is lined with concrete to prevent dirt and rocks from falling onto the tracks, ensuring a smooth and unobstructed path for the rocket sleds.
- Vacuum Environment: By creating a near-vacuum environment, the tube significantly reduces air resistance, accelerating the payload rapidly and efficiently. This vacuum system also mitigates the effects of atmospheric drag and allows the rocket sleds to maintain higher speeds with less fuel consumption.
- Construction Innovations: The tube’s construction involves advanced techniques such as using dynamite to expedite digging through bedrock and employing concrete canvas to line trench sections. This approach ensures durability and stability while optimizing construction time and costs.
The Track System
Our track system is designed to support the high-speed travel of rocket sleds, providing a reliable and efficient means of transporting payloads through the vacuum tube.
- Track Design: The track is projected to be 20 miles long, with the first few and last miles potentially open to the atmosphere. This design reduces costs and simplifies construction while achieving the necessary launch speeds.
- Rail Configuration: We are exploring the use of four rails instead of the traditional two, which would increase durability and stability for heavier loads. This configuration would help distribute the weight more evenly and ensure smooth travel for large payloads such as space station segments and space planes.
- Speed and Efficiency: The rocket sleds travel at speeds exceeding 4,000 mph, achieving these velocities through a vacuum tube and a series of propulsion stages. By starting in an open track and entering the vacuum tube, the sleds can accelerate without the tube’s initial resistance, optimizing fuel use and increasing overall efficiency.
Innovations in Construction and Operation
- Modular Construction: The tube is constructed in sections, allowing for simultaneous work at multiple points. This modular approach accelerates the construction process and ensures timely project completion.
- Advanced Materials: We utilize cutting-edge materials such as concrete canvas and polymer coatings to line and seal the tube, providing long-lasting protection against air and moisture infiltration. These materials also offer insulation against heat generated by the rocket sleds.
- Safety and Maintenance: The system includes advanced safety features, such as airtight doors and air evacuation pumps, to maintain the vacuum environment and facilitate easy maintenance. Regular inspections and real-time monitoring ensure the integrity and performance of the tube and tracks.
Future Prospects
Saturn Aerospace is committed to refining and enhancing our tube and track technologies as we innovate. We aim to make space launches more accessible, efficient, and sustainable, paving the way for new possibilities in space exploration and commercial activities.